Golf tee

ABSTRACT

A golf tee is provided with a streamer to facilitate locating the tee and to point out the desired line of flight of the ball. The tee engaging end of the streamer may be integrally secured to the tee or detachably secured thereto. In either case, a slot is provided in the streamer adjacent the tee engaging end thereof. The streamer is adapted to be folded under the tee in a manner such that the tee stem passes through the slot with the forward end of the slot adjacent or engaging the front surface of the tee stem.

United States Patent Guarino, Sr.

[ 1 July 11, 1972 [54] GOLF TEE [72] Inventor: Michael J. Guarino, Sr.,Mountainside,

[73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

Thomas La Mai-ca, Jr., a part interest March 22, 1971 g 21 Appl. No.2126,579

2,165,479 7/1939 Hallberg ..273/202 Primary Examiner-George J. MarloAttorney-Shlesinger, Arkwright & Garvey [57] ABSTRACT A golf tee isprovided with a streamer to facilitate locating the tee and to point outthe desired line of flight of the ball. The tee engaging end of thestreamer may be integrally secured to the tee or detachably securedthereto. In either case, a slot is provided in the streamer adjacent thetee engaging end thereof. The streamer is adapted to be folded under thetee in a manner such that the tee stem passes through the slot with theforward end of the slot adjacent or engaging the front surface of thetee stem.

14 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures P'ATENTEDJUL n 1972 3, 675.929 SHEET 1 [IF2 Fig. 2

Fig. 6

INVENTOR. Michael J Saar/mp5.

A T TORNEYS PATENTEDJUL 11 I972 3.675.929

SHEET 2 BF 2 INV EN TOR. M/chae/ J. Gum/00,5.

ATTORNEYS GOLF TEE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates togolf tees, and particularly to golf tees which have a streamer.

Ordinarily, the golfer must carry an ample supply of golf tees with himon the golf course. The conventional type of wooden tees are frequentlybroken, or the more durable plastic types are frequently lost afterteeing off. In the course of a round of golf, as many as half a dozen ormore tees may be used, requiring that the golfer keep on hand a supplyof tees.

The problem of replacing lost tees is obviated with the use of a teehaving a streamer since a tee hit by the club a distance away from thetee is readily located and retrieved.

Tees having streamers also permit the golfer to use the streamer as aguide to either point out the desired line of flight for the ball, or asa guide for the swing of the club head.

Tees with streamers have not become popular because of the drawbackspreviously associated with tees having streamers. Previous devices werecumbersome, large devices which were expensive and could not be readilycarried by the gOlfer and conveniently used.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedgolf tee having a streamer which does not have the limitations anddrawbacks of previously used devices.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf tee having thestreamer integrally connected to the crown of the tee.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf tee of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectionalview of the golf tee along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf tee of FIG. 1 showing the streamer andtee in position for use.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a golf tee with streamer where the streamer hastwo sections.

FIG. 6 is a side view of another configuration of golf tee with astreamer connected to the stem of the tee immediately below its crown.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the golf tee of FIG. 6 showing indicia printedthereon.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another golf tee having a quick-connectstreamer attachment element.

FIG. 9 is' a front view of the golf tee of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the golf tee of FIG. 9 with the streamerattached thereto.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the end section of the streamer shown on thefee of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front view of another modification of the tee having aspecial streamer-engaging stud.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the golf tee of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows an end portion of a streamer used with the golf tee ofFIGS. 12 and 13.

FIGS. 15 and 16 respectively show a front and side view of another golftee modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4, thegolf tee and streamer device 10 is composed of a golf tee 12 having acrown 14 and a stem 16. The upper portion of the tee stem 16 has awidened flat section 18, the lower portions of which form two widenedshoulder sections 20 which extend outwardly from the stem 16.

A lower peripheral portion 22 of the crown 14 of the tee is integrallyconnected to an elongated flexible streamer 24 which has an endconnecting section 26 which forms a hinge between the crown at 22 andthe forward connecting section 28 of the streamer.

The streamer has an elongated slot 30 immediately behind the connectingforward section 28 through which the lower end of the tee stem 16 ispassed to ready the device for use, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Theforward edge of the slot 32 is placed so that it will abut the forwardedge of the tee stem 16 to take up the shock and pull of the streamer onthe tee when the tee is struck by the golf club. The distance betweenthe forward periphery of the slot 32 and the rear periphery 34 isdetermined solely by the free space necessary to permit the tip of thetee stem to conveniently pass through the slot opening.

The streamer, as illustrated in FIG. 4, rides up along the tee stem 16until it reaches the shoulders 20 of the flat section 18. The shoulders20 are positioned so that they act as a stop for the streamer, and alsofor the tee itself, although the tee stem 16 is of sufficient length topermit the golfer to firmly insert the tee with the crown 14 at a higherposition if desired. The streamer 24 lays flat on the ground and isdisposed in a line directly behind the tee 12.

In FIG. 5 a two-section modification of the streamer is shown. Theshortened streamer connection section 38 includes the slot and a hinge40, similar to hinge 26 of FIG. 1. Rear section 42 of the streamerconnector piece 38 has an elongated streamer 44, the front section ofwhich is shown integrally connected thereto. The forward edge 46 of thismember is disposed behind the slot in the connector piece 38, which isnot shown. In all other respects, the construction is similar to that ofthe tee and streamer of FIGS. 1 to 4.

In FIG. 6, a two-piece golf tee and streamer assembly 50 is shown. Thegolf tee has a crown 52 and a stem 54. A flattened section 56 isdisposed on the forward upper side of the tee stem 54. It has lowerlaterally extending shoulders 58, and is of similar configuration to theflat section 18 of FIGS. 1 to 4. In this configuration, the elongatedstreamer 60 which is partially shown has a thickened tee engagingsection 62 which is glued to the forward flat surface 64 of theflattened section 56 of the tee.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the golf tee and streamer device of FIG. 6, andillustrates how the device would appear to the golfer if it were placedin position before the ball is placed on the tee crown. The streamerlength is approximately three or four times the length of the tee stem,so that it can be used to give a line of sight, and can readily behandled and kept in the pocket of the golfer, and is of sufficientlength to accomodate a printed message 66. The rear portion of theelongated tee accommodating slot is shown at 68.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show another variation in the construction of the tee andstreamer device, wherein the tee and streamer are each separate andindependent pieces that can readily be connected. The tee generallyindicated at 70 has a crown 72 and a stem 74. A small support piece 76extends outwardly from the front portion of the tee and has arectangular streamer holding element 78 disposed at the end thereofparallel to the longitudinal axis of the tee stem 74. Outwardly disposedshoulders 80 and 82 are integral with the opposite sides of the tee andare disposed parallel to the streamer retaining piece 78.

The streamer 84 for this tee is partially shown in FIG. 11. It has aforward rectangular tee engaging opening 86 which is slightly largerthan the rectangular streamer holding element 76. The relative size anddimension of the tee stem receiving slot 88 is the same as that for theearlier mentioned figures.

To assemble the tee and streamer, the rectangular streamer retainingpiece 78 on the tee is passed through the rectangular opening 86 of thestreamer and the tee is then rotated so that the pointed end of the teestem 74 is aligned with and passes through the elongated slot 88 of thestreamer 84, as seen in FIG. 10. The assembly is now ready for use, andwhen the tee is inserted in the ground the streamer will be pressedupwardly against the bottom edge of the outwardly extending shoulders 80and 82.

FIG. 12 shows the front view of a golf tee 90 made of plastic materialwhich has a crown 92 adapted to flex under impact slightly, and whichuses less material in its construction. The depressed annulus 94, andthe central opening 96 permit the golf tee to be molded at aconsiderable saving of material, while at the same time permittingflexure of the crown, so that there is a shock absorbing propertyimparted to the golf tee crown.

The stem 98 has a front flat section 100 from which a stud member 102extends outwardly. It has upper and lower flashing pieces 104 and 106which act as a retaining flange once a streamer having a circularopening sufficient to pass over the stud is pressed into position.

The external side view of the tee of FIG. 12 is shown in FIG. 13. Theflashing pieces 104 and 106 are illustrated as being very thin, pliablepieces of plastic material which extend outwardly from the extremity ofthe streamer holding stud 102. These pieces will bend inwardly,permitting the periphery of a circular opening in the streamerdimensioned slightly larger than that of the stud 102 to pass beyond theflanges 104 and 106 onto the body of the stud 102. The pliable flangeswill open up behind the streamer once it is passed over and onto theneck of the stud 102, so that the streamer is held in locked position onthe stud of the tee.

The tee of FIGS. 12 and 13 has four flat sides, disposed at an angle of90 with respect to each other. The front flat section 100, two sidesections 108, and a rear flat section 110, although not distinctly shownon the drawings, form a square sectioned elongated block having anoutwardly extending peripheral shoulder section 112 disposed immediatelyabove the circular sectioned tapered portion 114 of the stem.

FIG. 14 shows a streamer end portion 116 which is used with the golf teeof FIGS. 12 and 13. The opening 118 has a larger diameter than the studshank 102 and is slightly smaller than the periphery defined by the studflanges 104 and 106, so that it can be pressed on over the flanges andstud, and subsequently retained in place by the flanges 106 when theyreturn to their normal upright position. The elongated slot 120 issimilar to those in the previously described streamers.

Another type of golf tee is shown in FIGS. and 16. The crown 122 has adepressed central top section 124, and an annular groove 126 with acentral depression 128. This construction is similar to the top of thegolf tee crown of FIGS. 12 and 13. The stem of the tee 130 is similar tothat of a conventional golf tee stem, having no special structuralconfigurations thereon. A downwardly extending flange 132, forms thestreamer engaging means and has a lower streamer engaging periphery 134.A streamer retaining stud 136 is integral with the flange 132, and has apliable retaining head 138 thereon.

In FIG. 16, the end section 140 of a streamer is shown connected to thestud. The structural configuration is similar to the streamer endportion 116 shown in FIG. 14. The forward edge of its slot is indicatedat 142, and the circular stud engaging opening 144 is shown in dottedoutline.

When the streamer is in position on the golf tee, it is held on the studby the flexible head 138, inasmuch as the diameter of the opening 144 isslightly less than the diameter of the head, and slightly greater thanthe diameter of the stud 136. The relative dimensions of the head 138and the opening 144 are determined by the thickness of the head, and itsflexibility, as well as the flexibility of the streamer member. The head138 should be sufficiently pliable to bend over toward the stud 136under pressure from the streamer, so that the opening 144 will pass overboth the bent over peripheral portion of the head 138 and the stud, andonce having passed over this point will be retained on the stud 136 bythe peripheral portion of the head 138 which will return to its originalupright position. The dimensions are chosen so that the streamer can besnapped on with the application of some force, and also removed, withouttoo much difficulty. However, in use the streamer will be firmly held inposition on the stud 136.

OPERATION AND ADVANTAGES The golf tee and streamer device is readilycarried by the golfer in either the golf bag or in a handy pocket,inasmuch as it is small and compact. When the tee is to be used, thepointed end of the tee stem is passed through the elongated slot of thestreamer. The tee is pressed into the ground in the usual fashion, withthe streamer disposed behind it. The streamer will lay flat on theground, and will act as a stop when the ground presses its forwardslotted portion up against the shoulder of the flattened section 18, asillustrated in FIG. 4.

The lower periphery of the shoulders and 82 of the tee and streamerassembly of FIG. 10 operate in the same fashion as a Stop.

As the tee is pressed into the ground, it is turned such that thestreamer will be positioned close to the desired line of flight of theball. A more accurate adjustment can be made by sighting along thestreamer if the golfer desires.

After a golfer has teed off, it is only necessary for him to reach downand grasp the streamer which takes the tee with it. The tee then can beplaced in the pocket. The streamer thus serves as a handy means ofpicking up the tee after use. If a portion of the streamer is lefthanging out of the pocket, the tee can be readily picked up for use bygrasping the streamer.

If the tee is struck by the golf club and carried a short distance away,the streamer and its line of travel is easily followed, and the tee canreadily be located and picked up for further use.

The size of the streamer makes it possible to print special instructionson the top surface thereof, which the golfer will see before he swings.In many instances, these instructions, given in a few words will be ofmaterial assistance to a person taking instructions.

The tee itself is constructed of unbreakable plastic, and theconstruction of the streamer and the connection to the tee is such thatthere is small possibility of the tee and streamer being broken. Anyimpact that the tee stem might have on the connection between the teeand streamer is taken up by the forward periphery of the elongated slotwhich is in contact with the tee stem, and the shoulder on the flattenedportion insures adequate space between the top of the streamer and theball supported on the crown of the tee.

It is possible to either mold the tee and streamer as one integralpiece, or to simply mold the tee as an individual unit, and attach theplastic streamer thereto. In this regard, the construction of thestreamer may be either of flat molded plastic, or may be a woven plasticmaterial, such as used for watch bands. Preferably it is from two tofive times the length of the tee stem.

In either case an economical rugged device is provided which can be usedfor years by the golfer. In this respect, the low cost and handiness ofthe tee gives it added value as a giveaway item. Instead of printinginstructions on the streamer, it is possible to print the name of a golftournament, or of a sponsoring organization, so that the tee will remindthe golfer of a given occasion or sponsor.

Thus, the golf tee of the subject invention provides an in destructiblegolf tee, which cannot be lost, is easily used, and is inexpensive.Since the streamer is always in view of the golfer, instructions oradvertising can be placed thereon, making it an excellent give-awayitem.

While the invention has been described, it will be understood that it iscapable of further modifications and this application is intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following ingeneral, the principles of the invention and including such departuresfrom the present disclosure as come within known or customary practicein the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scopeof the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A golf tee, comprising:

a. a tee having a stem with a crown disposed at the top thereof,

b. an elongated, flexible, streamer having a width approximately thediameter of the crown and a length several times longer than the tee,and having a tee engaging sec tion at the forward end thereof,

c. streamer connecting means on the front part of the tee connecting thetee engaging section of the streamer to the tee,

d. an elongated slot in the streamer spaced a predetermined distancefrom the tee engaging section close to and behind the tee engagingsection thereof, said predetermined distance, and the width and lengthof said slot being sufficient to permit the lower section of the stem tobe passed through said slot when the streamer is folded under and aroundthe end of the stem so that its free end may be positioned behind thetee for use, with the forward periphery of the slot engaging the stemfront surface.

. The golf tee as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. stop means is provided on the tee for maintaining the streamerposition at a minimum fixed distance below the crown of the tee.

3. The golf tee as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. the streamer is from two to five times the length of the golf teestem.

4. The golf tee as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. the streamer has printed material displayed on one of the surfacesthereof.

5. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein:

a, the streamer connecting means is a reduced width hinge connectiondirectly connected to the lower edge of the crown.

. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein:

a. the streamer connecting means is a flattened widened section disposedimmediately below the crown for engaging the tee engaging section of thestreamer.

. A golf tee, comprising:

a. a tee having a stem with a crown disposed at the top thereof,

b. an elongated, flexible, streamer having a width approximately thediameter of the crown and a length several times longer than the tee,and having a tee engaging section at the forward end thereof,

c. a stud with a retaining head, disposed on the front side of the teeadjacent the top of the stem,

d. the tee engaging section of the streamer having a stud engagingopening receiving and operably connecting the tee engaging section ofthe streamer to the tee,

e: a tee stem receiving slot in the streamer behind the tee engagingsection and spaced from the stud engaging opening, the tee stem passingthrough said slot to position the free end of the streamer behind thetee and to provide a second connection between the tee and streamer,

f. the forward periphery of the slot being disposed adjacent and infront of the forward surface of the stem to take the shock and pull ofthe tee on the streamer when the tee is struck by a golf club.

8. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

a. the stud is disposed on the stern of the tee no more than one-thirdthe distance from the crown to the pointed end of the stern.

9. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

a. the streamer has printed material on one of the surfaces thereof.

10. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

a. the tee and streamer connecting means form a unitary product which ismolded of synthetic resin material.

11. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

a. the retaining head of the stud is made of pliable material and isonly slightly larger than the stud engaging opening which can be pressedon and over the retaining head which yields to pennit the opening topass thereover and onto the stud to lock the tee engaging section of thestreamer in position on the tee.

12. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

a. the crown has hollowed depressed sections adjacent the top thereof.

13. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

a. the stud is disposed on a downwardly extending flange integral withthe lower periphery of the front of the crown.

14. The golf tee as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

a. the lower periphery of the downwardly extending flange is disposedbelow the crown no more than approximately one-half the length of thestem, and forms a shoulder which acts as a stop when the tee is insertedin the ground.

1. A golf tee, comprising: a. a tee having a stem with a crown disposedat the top thereof, b. an elongated, flexible, streamer having a widthapproximately the diameter of the crown and a length several timeslonger than the tee, and having a tee engaging section at the forwardend thereof, c. streamer connecting means on the front part of the teeconnecting the tee engaging section of the streamer to the tee, d. anelongated slot in the streamer spaced a predetermined distance from thetee engaging section close to and behind the tee engaging sectionthereof, said predetermined distance, and the width and length of saidslot being sufficient to permit the lower section of the stem to bepassed through said slot when the streamer is folded under and aroundthe end of the stem so that its free end may be positioned behind thetee for use, with the forward periphery of the slot engaging the stemfront surface.
 2. The golf tee as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. stopmeans is provided on the tee for maintaining the streamer position at aminimum fixed distance below the crown of the tee.
 3. The golf tee asset forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the streamer is from two to five timesthe length of the golf tee stem.
 4. The golf tee as set forth in claim1, wherein: a. the streamer has printed material displayed on one of thesurfaces thereof.
 5. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein: a. the streamerconnecting means is a reduced width hinge connection directly connectedto the lower edge of the crown.
 6. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein: a.the streamer connecting means is a flattened widened section disposedimmediately below the crown for engaging the tee engaging section of thestreamer.
 7. A golf tee, comprising: a. a tee having a stem with a crowndisposed at the top thereof, b. an elongated, flexible, streamer havinga width approximately the diameter of the crown and a length severaltimes longer than the tee, and having a tee engaging section at theforward end thereof, c. a stud with a retaining head, disposed on thefront side of the tee adjacent the top of the stem, d. the tee engagingsection of the streamer having a stud engaging opening receiving andoperably connecting the tee engaging section of the streamer to the tee,e. a tee stem receiving slot in the streamer behind the tee engagingsection and spaced from the stud engaging opening, the tee stem passingthrough said slot to position the free end of the streamer behind thetee and to provide a second connection between the tee and streamer, f.the forward periphery of the slot being disposed adjacent and in frontof the forward surface of the stem to take the shock and pull of the teeon the streamer when the tee is struck by a golf club.
 8. The golf teeas set forth in claim 7, wherein: a. the stud is disposed on the stem ofthe tee no more than one-third the distance from the crown to thepointed end of the stem.
 9. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7,wherein: a. the streamer has printed material on one of the surfacesthereof.
 10. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein: a. the teeand streamer connecting means form a unitary product which is molded ofsynthetic resin material.
 11. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7,wherein: a. the retaining head of the stud is made of pliablE materialand is only slightly larger than the stud engaging opening which can bepressed on and over the retaining head which yields to permit theopening to pass thereover and onto the stud to lock the tee engagingsection of the streamer in position on the tee.
 12. The golf tee as setforth in claim 7, wherein: a. the crown has hollowed depressed sectionsadjacent the top thereof.
 13. The golf tee as set forth in claim 7,wherein: a. the stud is disposed on a downwardly extending flangeintegral with the lower periphery of the front of the crown.
 14. Thegolf tee as set forth in claim 13, wherein: a. the lower periphery ofthe downwardly extending flange is disposed below the crown no more thanapproximately one-half the length of the stem, and forms a shoulderwhich acts as a stop when the tee is inserted in the ground.